Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1887-02-05
MS Grange Address.

iFollowiHgi is a synopsis of the address de-
vered By MT. Samuel L. Smith, at the in
allation, Of the officers of Davis Greek
| range:-f
s.Much nisconception exists ss to the
Ibjects and methods of the Grange, and
here Ia some difference of opinion amongst
hembers tpon what are known as the 'poiiIi-
lal features of the ORDER In the declaration
" purposes, In the fifth paragraph Is the fol-
owing: We emphatically and sincerely as
iert the OF repeated truth, that the Grange
8 not q, political or party organization. No
Granee,,sh tfhe to its obligations. can discuss
political soI1 religious questions; nor call
political conventions; nor nominate candl-
dates, nor even discuss their merits In Its
meetiDg43G The improper construction plac,
sd upon this paragraph by many has retarded
to som6 extent the work Of our order. The
National e1ange, in order to make this SO
plain that no mistake would be likely to be
made ystklfck out the words religious or po-
iticeR md Inserted instead, 'party or secta-
run. BY formal resolutions 1t also made the
Df0tedfvs tariff question, which has always
been party political question, legitimate
subject for discussion in the grange. do
not understand that party questions used In
this connection to be the questions upon
which the great political parties of the coun-
try may differ. Ii this were the true con-
struction to be placed upon our organic law.
nature, as they are all political; even work.
ing u road, building q bridge. or levying q
county tax. Paley says: Political economy
Is the administration of the revenues Of the
nation, or the management and regulation OF
its resources and productive property and
labor; also the science which treats of these
Subjects
The restriction is to prevent the grange
from ever becoming political party. A
national farmers organization without the
power to discuss the political rights OF its
members, would be farce beneath the dig
nifty of intelligent men. 1t Is not needed that
you recede from membership In your parties.
still it is vitality essential that the political
party to which you adhere Is thoroughly
pledged aud truly loyal to agriculture. Com.
mence with the county and state govern
ments and pursue the same course to the
federal government and never rest till you
can truly say that every official from the
president of the nation to the coroner OF q
county is properly informed and earnestly
working il harmony and union with the
farmers Of the nation for the advancement and
promotion of the true interests and welfare
Of agriculture, irrespective of all partisan
politics or parties. Many other quotations
might be made to show that the remedy pro-
posed bv the National Grange for our relief
Is to use the ballot in order that our class
may be fairly and fully represented in the
stale and national legislatures. We believe
tne peoPio " oe CapaDie Va SOIL ko'ei hueh.
We must admit that the agressiODs of capital
lists upon the rights of the people are nov
straining the principles to its utmost capacIt.
of q democratic government. Yet we believ'
this grand movement of the producing
classes, seconded by movement of the lsbur
Ing classes, will peaceably restrain monopol.
and establish the fact that the people cai
govern themselves. We have been tryinl
resolutions and petitions long enough and &
little effect. Let US, with our ballots, sen,
men to the legislatures, state and national
who will equalize and reduce taxation. re
strain corporations from expressing til
people; have the finances managed In The in
s vi the peopIe' Keep our puoiIG uona. M
pricing our productions, and extend tn
same protection to the manufacturer. FO
this great work the grange was organized
anJ 1t Das not born to die, nor will Il fail In th
accomplishment OF its purpose.